Chart Scanning Program Optimizes Emergency Department Billing

Computer-assisted facility coding and compliance solutions for emergency department (ED) visits help healthcare facilities optimize revenue.

The EN-Chart Coder provides advanced coding and charge capture capabilities that enhance emergency-department information systems (EDIS) and help to optimize revenue. The system prompts the user, through discreet entry fields, for information regarding the patient visit. The software then determines the appropriate level of service by measuring the amount of time and resources spent on treating the patient; a site customizable weighted points system automatically identifies the correct level. Medication administrations and procedures, which should be billed in addition to the level of service are also identified and coded. Billing rules are accounted for in EN-Chart coder, and logic and algorithms are kept current by applying the latest updated rules.

Additionally, an emergency-nursing paper-template chart can also be used. A scanning program complements the paper template by using optical mark recognition (OMR) to read key data fields as documented on the paper chart by the ED nurse. As the scanning program interprets the form, billing rules are applied to identify applicable procedures and to calculate an evaluation and management facility code. The scanning program was designed to help nurses save time when filling out charts and to provide real-time feedback on documentation deficiencies. The EN-Chart coder and scanning program are products of EN-Chart (Dandridge, TN, USA), and can be used as stand-alone systems or integrated with existing hospital EDIS.

"Capturing proper ED coding on the front end of care generates positive returns," said Karen Marsh, R.N., founder and CEO of EN-Chart. "Our solution serves a vital need for hospitals by improving documentation, while simultaneously applying up-to-date coding guidelines and patient data analysis to create accurate and timely revenue cycles."

"The emergency department is the front door for more than 40% of clinical experiences in the hospital setting, but it's also one of the greatest areas of lost revenue," said Duncan James, group president of health system solutions at McKesson Provider Technologies (McKesson, Atlanta, GA, USA), which has integrated the EN-Chart with it's Horizon Emergency Care EDIS solution. "For a department that operates with limited resources and razor-thin margins, EN-Chart helps EDs save both time and money."


Related Links:
EN-Chart
McKesson Provider Technologies